By Cory Sekine-Pettite
The Automotive Technology program lab at the Chattahoochee Tech Marietta Campus is now the Voyles Automotive Lab, named in recognition of support from Ed Voyles Automotive Group.
Based in Marietta, Ed Voyles Automotive Group has been a strong supporter of the Chattahoochee Tech Automotive Technology program for 15 years, donating a total of $192,000, including a recent $100,000 pledge. They offer scholarships, apprenticeships, internships, and employment opportunities for Chattahoochee Tech students. The $100,000 donation will fund training, equipment, student competitions, and participation in industry experiences such as SEMA, an annual automotive industry trade show. Currently, there are about 350 students enrolled in the college’s automotive technology program, where they are trained in vehicle inspection, maintenance, and repair.
In acknowledgment of the $100,000 donation, the Chattahoochee Tech Foundation Board of Trustees and the college renamed the automotive lab. Representatives from Voyles Automotive Group toured the lab this past February, including Bill Brantley, President & COO; Pete Richards, General Manager for Ed Voyles Honda; and Richard Wade, Sales Director for Ed Voyles Honda. The Chattahoochee Tech Automotive Technology program at the Marietta Campus is on the cutting edge of electric vehicle training and technology, featuring a building dedicated for EV education and training.
“Voyles Automotive Group has been a longtime supporter of the college’s automotive program. We are very appreciative of the relationship and continued support of Voyles Automotive,” said Jennifer Nelson, Chattahoochee Tech Vice President of Advancement.
In Chattahoochee Tech’s Automotive Technology program, students learn how to inspect, maintain, and repair any part and all systems of a vehicle in a dynamic learning environment taught by ASE Certified faculty with diverse industry experience. Classes are offered at multiple campuses during day and evening hours. Students even can learn to work on hybrid/electrical vehicle operation and systems diagnosis and repairs — the fastest growing segment of the auto industry. Graduates will be able to obtain industry certification in the Hybrid/Electric Vehicle area. For more information, visit ChattahoocheeTech.edu.
Chattahoochee Tech Launches FAA-Approved Aviation Maintenance Training
Chattahoochee Technical College is set to launch its Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) program after receiving the prestigious Air Agency Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration.
This certification authorizes Chattahoochee Tech to operate an approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS). The new program is designed to equip students with the technical skills needed to diagnose and repair aircraft power plants, both reciprocating and turbine, as well as airframes, both metal and wood. Graduates will be eligible to participate in the FAA powerplant and airframe examinations in order to earn their A&P certifications.
Starting this summer, the new five-semester program includes 81 credit hours and 1,695 contact hours of direct instruction and hands-on training, all taking place in-person at the college’s new Aviation Training Academy in Paulding County, near the Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport.
“This FAA certification reflects our dedication to the rigorous process involved in training aviation maintenance professionals,” said Jason Tanner, Executive Vice President for Academic Instruction at Chattahoochee Tech. “As the demand continues to grow for these essential workers, we’re proud to provide students with the skilled training they need for successful careers in this industry.”
Students Win Top Honors at 2025 SkillsUSA Georgia Competition
Chattahoochee Tech students competed at the 2025 SkillsUSA Georgia competition held recently in Atlanta, with a gold medal winner advancing to the national competition.
Maria Luiza Morais Macedo da Rocha (pictured), a student in the college’s Electrical & Computer Engineering Technology program, earned a gold medal in Electronics Technology. Chattahoochee Tech student Russell Puffer placed fourth in Aviation Maintenance Technology. Chattahoochee Tech Dual Enrollment student Larry Reyes earned a second-place finish in the HVAC competition. He is taking Air Conditioning Technology classes at the Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy (CITA).
“The SkillsUSA competition provides students with an opportunity to showcase and refine their industry-standard skills,” said Jason Tanner, Executive Vice President for Instruction at Chattahoochee Tech. “We are incredibly proud of how well our students represented the college. I would also like to thank our instructors for their dedication in preparing students for the competition and supporting them throughout these events.”
The 2025 SkillsUSA Georgia competition was held Feb. 20-22, 2025, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. It featured 154 career competition events for more than 3,000 students. SkillsUSA is a national, nonprofit organization whose mission is to build a skilled workforce.
